RZSS, Edinburgh Zoo

Education Officer (Summer School)

Application Deadline: Sunday 27th January 2019

Do you have a passion for wildlife and conservation and sharing this with the next generation? Would you like to spend an unforgettable summer in a busy, varied and fun environment working with young people from across Scotland? Recruitment for our 2019 Edinburgh Zoo Summer School is now open!

The very popular RZSS Edinburgh Zoo Summer Schools are back for its 22nd year! Our Summer Schools run for 4 weeks, commencing the 1st, 8th, 15th and 22nd of July 2019. Children will attend a week-long course of animal related activities from 9am to 3.30pm, Monday to Friday. The weekly programme will be repeated for four weeks, with different children attending each week. The two Schools are:

Summer CAT (Conservation Action Team)- For children aged between 7 – 11 years (e.g. entering P4, P5, P6 or P7 in August 2018)- Based out of Edinburgh Zoo’s Wildlife Garden Yurt, children will take part in a range of activities including planting, building, animal surveying, games, trails, campfires and much more!

Summer School - For children aged between 5 – 15 years. The programme will be divided in to four classes of up to 25 children, e.g. Primary 2/3, Primary 4/5, Primary 6/7 and Secondary 1– 4.- Based in the Education Centre, children will discover the amazing animals, habitats and cultures of Asia (this year’s theme). Children will take part in a range of fun activities such as zoo trails, games, arts and crafts, animal handling, building enrichment devices and much, much more!

What you’ll be doing…To help ensure our Summer Schools are a success, we are recruiting several Education Officers, to work together on designing and delivering a range of fun and engaging activities. The role is split into two parts; preparation (equivalent to one week) and teaching delivery (four weeks):

Preparation- Includes an induction and training day on Saturday 2 March 2019 (9am – 5pm) to meet the rest of the team and learn more about RZSS and our Summer School.- Up to 3 days to develop an informative, creative but overall FUN Summer School week-long programme for a specific age group. We cannot guarantee that you will be working with your preferred age group, but we will do our best to match you to an age group you will be happy with.- A further meeting with the team to finalise your teaching programme by mid-April.- A set-up day on Sunday 30th June 2019 to prepare your classroom and resources.

Delivery - Summer School starts on Monday 1 July 2019 and working hours are Monday to Thursday: 8.30am – 3.45pm; and Friday: 8.30am - 4.00pm. - Deliver lessons and activities to engage and excite participants, so that they will want to return year after year. - The weekly programme will be repeated for four weeks, with different children attending each week.

Teachers will be paid for four weeks of teaching, as well as an additional week for planning and preparation time (including induction day and classroom set up).

What you’ll need…Our goal is to give an educational, culturally-enriching and memorable summer experience that connects children with nature. We employ staff who are willing to accept this responsibility and who have the necessary wide-ranging skills, experience and commitment to achieve this, specifically:

- third year or above in a degree programme or equivalent level of qualification in a relevant subjectexperience of teaching or working in a teaching-related environment with particular emphasis upon science communication.- Demonstrable interest in wildlife and the environment.- Track record of providing first-class care and service through educational delivery.- Due to the nature of the role, any offer of employment is subject to satisfactory references, right to work in the UK and PVG check prior to commencement;

What you’ll get in return…We care for our people just as much as we look after our animals and visitors. As well as the fundamental benefits like salary and a Work Place pension, we offer other rewards that can help you financially, can make work a bit easier and make life outside of work a lot more fun! For example, 34 days annual leave allowance, life assurance, friends and family discounts, Employee Assistance Programme and free access to a whole host of other Scottish attractions with our ASVA (Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions) passes.

We offer more than everyday job satisfaction - as well as our wonderful animals we have a highly professional, diverse and friendly staff community too. So, in working for RZSS you've not only got a great job in a very interesting organisation - you're also part of an amazing cause too!

Connecting people with nature. Safeguarding species from extinction. We are the Royal Zoological Society for Scotland (RZSS), and for over 100 years we’ve been a leading conservation and education charity as well as an amazing, award-winning visitor attraction. We’ve been a charity since our founding in 1909 and maintain a keen commercial edge to ensure a sustainable, bright and exciting future. Through our two sites, RZSS Edinburgh Zoo and RZSS Highland Wildlife Park, we provide unique and memorable experiences and engage over 750,000 visitors per year in the wonders of the natural world, taking care of over 1,000 rare and endangered animals in safe and stimulating surroundings. The RZSS strives to be an equal opportunities employer. Registered Charity SC004064